In-role or extra-role Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Which are we measuring?

This study examined the extra-role nature of behavioral items from a popular measure of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). Presented with a list of both OCB items and items reflecting in-role behaviors, a majority of participants (85% or more; N = 248) categorized 17 of 30 OCBs as in-role work behaviors. Items tapping OCBs in the conscientiousness and courtesy dimensions were considered in-role more frequently than items in other OCB dimensions. Altruism and civic virtue items were more frequently considered extra-role than items in other OCB dimensions. Negative relationships between supervisory experience and the propensity to view altruism, courtesy, and sportsmanship OCBs as in-role were found. Implications for future research and recommendations for OCB scale use are discussed.